Fight over LGBT rights scuttles energy spending bill

WASHINGTON (AP) — A $37 billion bill to fund the Energy Department and water projects has crashed in the House, scuttled by a fight over LGBT rights.

Many Republicans opposed the measure over a provision designed to bar discrimination against LGBT employees by federal contractors. And Democrats opposed language to make sure federal funding isn't yanked from North Carolina over its transgender bathroom law.

The sweeping 305-112 vote to kill the bill casts a pall over GOP leaders' hope to pass the 12 annual spending bills for the upcoming budget year.